The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1887-09-17
MARK TWAIN'S DOCTOR.
Gibson, the Original OF the Medical Man
In "Innoccnts Abroad"


In "Innocents Abroad"
DR.. William NJ Gibson, who died IN
jamestown. Pa. not long ago, was the
original of "The Doctor in Mark
Twain's "Innoccuts Abroad" Dr. A.
Reeves Jackson, formerly of Strands
burg. Pa. now of Chicago, who was
member of the excursion party, has
been widely credited with being the
original of the character.
"I had it from tho lips Of Mark
Twain himself" says prominent resi-
dent of this city, "that DR.. Gibson was
the doctor of the story. | was edit
ing the Times at Sharon, Mercer Coun-
ty. at that time. II was ten years ago
Mark Twain came to that place to lect-
urc, and he and became very well
acquainted. Some time aftcrward he
returned to Sharon and spent several
days with me. gave n dinner in his
honor, and invited a number of promi-
ncnt citizens to meet him. Supposing
as matter of course, that the two fell
low-voyagers would be pleased TO see
one another and recount incidents OF
their trip, invited DR. Gibson also, his
residence being but few miles from
Sharon. told Twain that had in
vitcd the doctor expecting to be re-
warded with great approval from the
great humorist. On the contrary, he
didn't look II Dit glad, ana shaking his
head, said in that mirth-provokinS
drawl of his:
"'Wcl, that's all right. | suppose.
but don't know how Gibson and j
will get along together. We don't
speak
THAT was n et-back for me. and
the only hope had was that DR. Glib
son would be moved by tho delicacy
of the situation. and stay away. But
he didn't. He came as big as life.
He didn't speak to Twain, and
Twain didn't speak to him. The
consequence was that what | had
counted on to be one of the most de.
lighiful and enjoyable of occasions
and one long To be romcm.
bcrcd with pleasure by my fellow
citizens and myself was stupid
beyond description. The doctors
presence cast dampcr on the hole
proceeding. although he was COM
panionablc and desirable person TO
have in any gathering. Mark Twain
made no speech and said nothing
funny. Two or three of my friends
tried TO throw little spirit into the
occasion by neat speeches and happy
all~pS, but il was of no Use. The
difstrsa failure. and we AROSE
from the cat least did-fccling.
rs if the pN,y had been a funeral and
that we were the chief mourners.
Twain aftcrward told me what the
trouble was between him aud tha doc
tor. As it is related in the 'mnocents
Abroad. on one ocCa sion during the
trip a committee was appointed to
present an address to the ca of Rus
sia. Mark Twain wrote the address
and gave it to the committee to copy.
The committee tore it all tn pieces with
changes of their own. subsequently
the doctor went 10 Twain and made a
modest suggestion.
LET me take that address of
yours, he said. and I'll copy It OF
I'll sign my name to it and you sign
yours, and Wen ignore the committee
and present it ourselves.
"The disiutcres.cd proposition was
not accepted 10y the humorist. and
when he wrote the book 'hc,gavc tho
doctor away by relating the incident
That made Gibson angry, and he
never got over H."
The death Of DIR. Gibson brings to
mind the fact that the original of Sir
Oracle in "lnnocents Abro III was
then aud still j. resident If Harris
burg. in the person of the Hon. Jacob
5, Holden. lie was Minister TO Sweden.
under President Buchanan.
Dr. Gibson left n fortune of 81 0Oo.-
600. lie had just erected n monument
To himself at a cost of 500. 600. 80
HdrrisbHrg (Pa) Cor. Boston Herald